CULLMAN - The day is finally here. After months of hard, sometimes harsh, campaigning, the candidates must now sit back and wait while the voters decide in the Republican and Democratic Primary Elections. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Remember: Alabama voters must declare a party before they cast their ballots. That means, when you show up to your polling place, you’ll have to choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic Primary. You can’t vote in both. Important to remember is whichever party you choose on June 5 is the party you must stick with if there happens to be a run-off election. For example, if you vote Republican on June 5, and there’s a run-off on the Democratic ticket, you can’t vote in that run-off. That rule, the crossover voting rule, only applies to primary elections. (Note: For the 2020 elections, voters may change political parties. A voter does not have to remain consistent with the party her or she chose in the 2018 primary election.) In the November general election, both parties will be on your ballot.

Also remember: Alabama voters are required to show photo identification before voting. Types of IDs accepted are valid driver's license, valid nondriver ID, valid Alabama photo voter ID, valid state-issued ID, valid federal-issued ID, valid US passport, valid employee ID from federal government, State of Alabama, county, municipality, board or other entity of this state, valid student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools), valid military ID or valid tribal ID.